Chargers still control Jackson

Report: Chargers could permit another team to negotiate with Vincent Jackson

Report: Chargers could permit another team to negotiate with Vincent Jackson

Posted by Mike Florio on September 3, 2010 9:50 AM ET
The San Diego Chargers continue their unpredictable and erratic handling of receiver Vincent Jackson. Last month, the Chargers gave the Seahawks -- and only the Seahawks -- permission to negotiate with the holdout wideout the terms of a contract that would then serve as a precursor for a trade.

Now, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the Chargers could allow another team to negotiate with Jackson "before Saturday."

The goal would be to get a deal done by Saturday at 6:00 p.m. ET, the point at which Jackson potentially would be prevented from playing in not just three games (the terms of his league-imposed suspension for multiple DUI guilty pleas) but in six games, given the consequences of the placement of Jackson on the roster exempt list. Though questions remain regarding whether Jackson would actually be barred for six games, all questions can be avoided if he is traded to a new team and "reports" to that team before his suspension becomes effective on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. ET.

Meanwhile, Acee writes that Jackson could be willing to accept a one-year, $7 million deal. The Chargers may balk at this, since they would receive less compensation for a one-year rental than they would for a long-term purchase. Acee notes that the Chargers possibly could get a better deal via a compensatory draft pick if/when Jackson leaves as an unrestricted free agent.

Acee also throws a tiny barb at Jackson's agents regarding reports that they asked the Seahawks for a five-year, $50 million contract with $30 million guaranteed. Writes Acee, "The Jackson camp has made it known in various media reports the past week their price is not currently that high." Actually, agent Neil Schwartz told us that it never was that high. So Acee, who has been accused via a letter sent by attorney Howard Weitzman to the Union-Tribune of defaming Jackson and his agents by reporting that the agents are bankrolling his holdout, is implicitly saying that Schwartz lied.

Meanwhile, there has been no indication that the Union-Tribune will retract Acee's reporting regarding Jackson's source(s) of income during his holdout. And that could mean this thing will get more interesting before it ever gets boring, even if Jackson is traded by Saturday at 6:00 p.m. ET.

SAN FRANCISCO — The Chargers remain interested in trading Vincent Jackson and could allow another team to negotiate with the receiver’s agents before Saturday, a source said Thursday.

So far, the Chargers have only granted the Seattle Seahawks permission to speak with Jackson’s agents about a contract. Those talks stalled when the asking price became known, but various reports on Thursday said the Seahawks remain interested. The Minnesota Vikings also balked at the five-year, $50 million deal Jackson’s representative were seeking.

The Jackson camp has made it known in various media reports the past week their price is not currently that high.

In fact, it is possible the one-year deal for somewhere around $7 million that those close to Jackson said last month that he would be amenable to could be what he eventually accepts from another team. However, such a deal would bring less compensation in trade for the Chargers and could preclude a trade from happening since Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith is known to appreciate compensatory draft picks when an unrestricted free agent leaves.

Both the Chargers and, presumably, Jackson’s agents would like to have a deal done by 3 p.m. Saturday. After that, Jackson will essentially be suspended for six games. Jackson is suspended the first three games of the season due to his two DUI arrests and cannot report to a team during that suspension. He is also on the Roster Exempt List, which means he has to sit out three games after reporting.

Busting out

Norv Turner said this week he knew what Buster Davis could do and didn’t think it was paramount the fourth-year receiver play too much against the 49ers.

Yet, there Davis was Thursday showing he is a significant threat but also emerging healthy.

With Malcom Floyd not playing, Davis lined up outside and had four catches for 82 yards in five series. He made a grab on a slant, tiptoed in bounds for a 14-yard gain on the next play, reached back for a 12-yard reception and made a diving catch for 47 yards.

For those waiting for the Chargers’ 2007 first-round pick to make an impact, perhaps it is a good sign that Davis finished the preseason with 10 catches for 146 yards. That’s five more catches than in any of his previous three preseasons.

Big plans, lots of tickets

Approximately 11,000 tickets remain for the home opener Sept. 19 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, putting in jeopardy the Chargers streak of 43 regular season games not blacked out.

Those at the game will see a video tribute to former Chargers head coach Don Coryell and formed defensive lineman Gary “Big Hands” Johnson, both of whom passed away this summer.

The Chargers will wear decals that day that read “Air Coryell” and Johnson’s number “79.”

Nuts ‘n’ Bolts

• Cornerback Fred Bennett, signed off waivers Tuesday, played in the second half despite having not practiced with the Chargers. He was likely to make the team anyway, and his third-quarter interception didn’t hurt his chances.

• Linebacker Brandon Siler, who started in place of Stephen Cooper, made a heads-up interception of a bobbled pass in the second quarter that was caused by rookie safety Darrell Stuckey’s well-timed hit.

• The Chargers’ defensive backs have tried to play more physical at the line, and it has been largely effective. However, the aggressiveness perhaps contributed to two penalties (illegal contact, hands to the face) in the first half.

AJ is playing this game perfectly. VJ needs a contract in place before he gets traded. I bet if he gets a contract offer (that will be MUCH lower than his 50 mil) AJ will look at it and say that he will match it. If VJ says no then AJ will come off looking good or AJ can say take our offer or sit out, we are not trading you.

VJ needs to lower his demands to around $35-40 million if he wants a long term deal. I mean I can understand the agent trying to get as much as he can, but it's clear that no one is biting, so it's time to drop the demand for the good of your player.

Report: Chargers could permit another team to negotiate with Vincent Jackson

Posted by Mike Florio on September 3, 2010 9:50 AM ET
The San Diego Chargers continue their unpredictable and erratic handling of receiver Vincent Jackson. Last month, the Chargers gave the Seahawks -- and only the Seahawks -- permission to negotiate with the holdout wideout the terms of a contract that would then serve as a precursor for a trade.

Now, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the Chargers could allow another team to negotiate with Jackson "before Saturday."

The goal would be to get a deal done by Saturday at 6:00 p.m. ET, the point at which Jackson potentially would be prevented from playing in not just three games (the terms of his league-imposed suspension for multiple DUI guilty pleas) but in six games, given the consequences of the placement of Jackson on the roster exempt list. Though questions remain regarding whether Jackson would actually be barred for six games, all questions can be avoided if he is traded to a new team and "reports" to that team before his suspension becomes effective on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. ET.

Meanwhile, Acee writes that Jackson could be willing to accept a one-year, $7 million deal. The Chargers may balk at this, since they would receive less compensation for a one-year rental than they would for a long-term purchase. Acee notes that the Chargers possibly could get a better deal via a compensatory draft pick if/when Jackson leaves as an unrestricted free agent.

Acee also throws a tiny barb at Jackson's agents regarding reports that they asked the Seahawks for a five-year, $50 million contract with $30 million guaranteed. Writes Acee, "The Jackson camp has made it known in various media reports the past week their price is not currently that high." Actually, agent Neil Schwartz told us that it never was that high. So Acee, who has been accused via a letter sent by attorney Howard Weitzman to the Union-Tribune of defaming Jackson and his agents by reporting that the agents are bankrolling his holdout, is implicitly saying that Schwartz lied.

Meanwhile, there has been no indication that the Union-Tribune will retract Acee's reporting regarding Jackson's source(s) of income during his holdout. And that could mean this thing will get more interesting before it ever gets boring, even if Jackson is traded by Saturday at 6:00 p.m. ET.

AJ is playing this game perfectly. VJ needs a contract in place before he gets traded. I bet if he gets a contract offer (that will be MUCH lower than his 50 mil) AJ will look at it and say that he will match it. If VJ says no then AJ will come off looking good or AJ can say take our offer or sit out, we are not trading you.

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The likelihood of that happening would be much higher if VJ was able to talk to all NFC teams

Things change dude. 6 months ago, the Vikings didn't need another WR. Guess what, they do now. There are other teams that may have thought they could get a WR in the draft or thought a guy they had was going to step it up, which didn't happen. Things change. By not allowing him to talk to other teams, we are severely limiting the possibility of him getting traded by tomorrow, and if he is not dealt by tomorrow his value plummits

Things change dude. 6 months ago, the Vikings didn't need another WR. Guess what, they do now. There are other teams that may have thought they could get a WR in the draft or thought a guy they had was going to step it up, which didn't happen. Things change. By not allowing him to talk to other teams, we are severely limiting the possibility of him getting traded by tomorrow, and if he is not dealt by tomorrow his value plummits

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Teams can still talk to AJ without setting a BAD precedent and allowing the player to do it. You do not seem to understand and keep repeating a strategy that is fuc't from the get go. Letting VJ talk to the NFC sets a VERY BAD EXAMPLE TO THE REST OF THE PLAYERS and DAMAGES FUTURE CONTRACT TALKS.

I may have bought into the demonization of AJ Smith ... slightly, but I still say he's making a huge mistake and high noon approaches. Reportedly, all Smith has to offer is a competitive bid for the 2010 season. He's lucky Jackson still wants to play there. I'm pretty sure now, but tomorrow I'll be confident that Jackson gets moved around the day his suspension clears. Permission possibly granted to other teams and the signing of Patrick Crayton are not developments I'd associate with the two sides coming together. Dallas was going to release Crayton but he would've been picked up that day. He's a good acquisition for a 7th rd draft pick.

"VJ HAS ALREADY TALKED TO THE ENTIRE LEAGUE !!!!!"

This has already been refuted once. High compensation to San Diego coupled with Jackson's pending eligibility greatly hindered the market during the annual free agency window. Even if these are not to be considered, we know that Jackson's camp didn't pursue the market at that time. That was then. Now, the Chargers haven't signed their player and have to move him or get nothing. Jackson's availability is known and that's when things will heat up. I do agree that Jackson's value will only increase as we approach that date. If Jackson insists on playing in San Diego, then his value greatly decreases after tomorrow.

I may have bought into the demonization of AJ Smith ... slightly, but I still say he's making a huge mistake and high noon approaches. Reportedly, all Smith has to offer is a competitive bid for the 2010 season. He's lucky Jackson still wants to play there. I'm pretty sure now, but tomorrow I'll be confident that Jackson gets moved around the day his suspension clears. Permission possibly granted to other teams and the signing of Patrick Crayton are not developments I'd associate with the two sides coming together. Dallas was going to release Crayton but he would've been picked up that day. He's a good acquisition for a 7th rd draft pick.

"VJ HAS ALREADY TALKED TO THE ENTIRE LEAGUE !!!!!"

This has already been refuted once. High compensation to San Diego coupled with Jackson's pending eligibility greatly hindered the market during the annual free agency window. Even if these are not to be considered, we know that Jackson's camp didn't pursue the market at that time. That was then. Now, the Chargers haven't signed their player and have to move him or get nothing. Jackson's availability is known and that's when things will heat up. I do agree that Jackson's value will only increase as we approach that date. If Jackson insists on playing in San Diego, then his value greatly decreases after tomorrow.

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How do you know that VJ's agent did not pursue talks?

Why would an agent not pursue this opportunity to get his client a better deal when AJ is negotiable on the compensation (not limited to a 1st and 3rd)?

I have never seen anything stated by VJ's agent that his clients services were not shopped.

I may have bought into the demonization of AJ Smith ... slightly, but I still say he's making a huge mistake and high noon approaches. Reportedly, all Smith has to offer is a competitive bid for the 2010 season. He's lucky Jackson still wants to play there. I'm pretty sure now, but tomorrow I'll be confident that Jackson gets moved around the day his suspension clears. Permission possibly granted to other teams and the signing of Patrick Crayton are not developments I'd associate with the two sides coming together. Dallas was going to release Crayton but he would've been picked up that day. He's a good acquisition for a 7th rd draft pick.

"VJ HAS ALREADY TALKED TO THE ENTIRE LEAGUE !!!!!"

This has already been refuted once. High compensation to San Diego coupled with Jackson's pending eligibility greatly hindered the market during the annual free agency window. Even if these are not to be considered, we know that Jackson's camp didn't pursue the market at that time. That was then. Now, the Chargers haven't signed their player and have to move him or get nothing. Jackson's availability is known and that's when things will heat up. I do agree that Jackson's value will only increase as we approach that date. If Jackson insists on playing in San Diego, then his value greatly decreases after tomorrow.

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Why ? I have seen others say it and they are doing nothing more than fear mongering.

If VJ sits and collects nothing this year, the Chargers could franchise tag him for next year.

The F-tag on a WR should be around $8 or 9 Million for next year.

Some have speculated VJ would play for a $6 or $7 million offer for one year here but that is not going to happen. The Chargers are not obligated to offer anything more than the tender.

Getting back to the math - assume VJ would not walk away from a $9 million one year franchise tag deal next year. Remember we would still own his rights exclusively. That means VJ would make a average of $4.5 mil for this year and next year given he signs his franchise tender next year. The tender is for $3.2 million for this year (now backout the 6 weeks pay which will be with held from the tender and bada bing).

In the above LIKELY scenario - VJ is not losing any value whatsoever. If the Chargers feel highly enough about him, they will tag his ***.

Anyone who thinks VJ's value drops after Sept. 4th does not understand the NFL.

VJ's next contract will be bigger than anything he has seen in the past. Think about it.

Even if VJ sits the entire year and we have a lockout - he will get his jack.

If VJ signs and sits his suspension with another team, he will still be richer due to the new contract.

The ONLY way VJ's value drops is if he screws up and gets arrested again.

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VJ's value for himself will remain high. VJ's value to the SD Chargers will drop after Sept 4. Once that passes, we will not be able to get as much in return for him and the likelihood of getting nothing more than a crappy Comp pick increases significantly

Why ? I have seen others say it and they are doing nothing more than fear mongering.

If VJ sits and collects nothing this year, the Chargers could franchise tag him for next year.

The F-tag on a WR should be around $8 or 9 Million for next year.

Some have speculated VJ would play for a $6 or $7 million offer for one year here but that is not going to happen. The Chargers are not obligated to offer anything more than the tender.

Getting back to the math - assume VJ would not walk away from a $9 million one year franchise tag deal next year. Remember we would still own his rights exclusively. That means VJ would make a average of $4.5 mil for this year and next year given he signs his franchise tender next year. The tender is for $3.2 million for this year (now backout the 6 weeks pay which will be with held from the tender and bada bing).

In the above LIKELY scenario - VJ is not losing any value whatsoever. If the Chargers feel highly enough about him, they will tag his ***.

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Two problems, 1) there is no guarantee the franchise tag will be available in the next CBA, and if it is, it may not be back in it's current form. Counting on it is like counting your chickens before they hatch. 2) We still have McNeil to deal with and assuming he doesn't get signed, they may have to use the franchise tag on him. Meaning one of these 2 guys is gone after this year unless they are traded or AJ caves in and pays one of them which doesn't look very likely

I would add that propagating the premise that the Chargers are "likely" to retain exclusive rights on Vincent Jackson under a new CBA, is absolutely false. The Chargers are going to move Jackson when he's eligible. Jackson is willing to sit this year out and if Washington is willing to wait, they'll get him w/o providing any compensation to Smith. If Bruce Allen and Neil Schwartz are together on this, the Chargers will be lucky to get a 2nd rd draft pick. If Smith rejects the offer as too low and plays willing to accept the 3rd rd compensatory pick, that too can be messed with. Allen can wait until after next year's draft to sign Jackson, leaving the Chargers on the hook and w/o any compensation until 2012.